Ultimate Bundaberg North Burnett Experience

From the country to the coast, this destination has it all. Farm fresh produce, turtle experiences, diving with manta rays, unique bush walks, bird spotting, camping on the beach and fishing adventures - and that's just the beginning.

You can share in these experiences and more as part of your ultimate Bundaberg North Burnett experience.

This touring guide will get you going with a five day packed itinerary of authentic Aussie experiences, everything from visiting one of the seven wonders of the world - the Southern Great Barrier Reef on Lady Elliot Island, to the beef capital of the Burnett to historically significant sites to our Aboriginal ancestors who inhabited this part of the globe.

Be sure to indulge in a bit of country hospitality along the way and take some change for the seasonal produce dotted along the road at farm gate market stalls, take your time and throw a line in one of the many pristine lakes, dams and rivers or visit the big attractions such as Childers wine trail, Bundaberg Rum, RM Williams Centre, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks, Flying High Bird Sanctuary, Snakes DownUnder and more.

Journey Details

Duration

Distance

120 Hours

1096 Kilometres

Activities

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Journey Map

Full itinerary

Gin Gin to Monto

On the northern outskirts of Gin Gin, take the turn off to Mount Perry. 30 kilometres along the Mount Perry road, and two kilometres off the main road, you reach Boolboonda Tunnel - the longest manmade unsupported tunnel in the southern hemisphere.

Mount Perry, the origins of mining within the region, has a museum showcasing the lifestyle of the pioneers. Venture up to lookout over the town, with views to Boolboonda and Perry Ranges.

Heading west along the Mount Perry Monto Road you have two options of travel - 20 kilometres of unsealed road continuing to Langly Flats just south of Monto. Or divert toward Eidsvold on a sealed road which will bring you 10 kilometres north of Eidsvold on the Burnett Highway. This only adds about 25 kilometres to the journey to Monto from the unsealed alternative.

Monto is a small country town on the northern rim of the North Burnett Shire, and leads you to Cania Gorge National Park which offers bushwalking, rainforest, gorges and Aboriginal paintings. The roads are sealed, and there are accommodation options at either end of the gorge.

Monto to Biggenden

The Burnett Highway will lead you from Monto to Eidsvold. You will pass the turnoff to Lake Wurruma, camping is permitted and throw in a line and try your luck.

Eidsvold is the beef capital of the Burnett. The Information Centre also has a museum dedicated to R.M Williams. To the south you come across Mundubbera and then Gayndah. They are known as citrus capitals of the state, providing employment opportunities for locals and visitors.

Gayndah is known as the oldest town in Queensland and was considered for the capital of Queensland, but lost to Brisbane because the river was not deep enough, making it impossible for large cargo ships.

The next stop is Ban Ban Springs, a community known for natural springs. To the Wakka Wakka people this area is significant as in the dreamtime it was believed this was the spot was where the 'Rainbow Serpent' surfaced.

Following the Isis Highway you start journeying back to the coast. Stop off at Coalston Lakes, extinct volcano crater lakes, which are near Mount Walsh National Park. Mount Walsh overlooks the town of Biggenden, known for its grain and cattle. 11 kilometres from Biggenden is Chowey Bridge.

Bundaberg

As you arrive in Bundaberg, you'll notice rolling rich red soil, rows of sugarcane, macadamias and the criss-cross grids of Australia's food bowl that greet you.

Bundaberg city is most fondly associated with rum of the same name and Bundaberg Brewed Drinks which are exported to the world.

There are several tours you can take - the Bundaberg Rum factory, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks, Hinkler Hall of Aviation, Fairymead House and Wednesday art walk at the Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery. Take a leisurely meander up the Burnett River on a guided tour, take yourself on a walk through the public art dotted across the city and pop into one of the many historical museums or galleries.

Pack your snorkel and swimmers because 15 minutes from the city you'll find swimming, snorkelling, surfing and beachcombing. Head anywhere between Burnett to Elliott Heads - or even ride a bike along the Coral Coast track.

Bundaberg is Australia's food bowl with nearly 90 per cent of the countries sweet potatoes grown there! The pick of the crop can be found there, with farm gate markets, fresh seafood and many local restaurants and cafes serving up the best, seasonal produce.

Biggenden to Bundaberg via Childers and Woodgate Beach

From Biggenden you come up to Dallarnil, this is where the road divides and you can choose to head to Paradise Dam which is less than five years old. It supplies much needed water to farms in the region. Camping is permitted for a small fee.

Follow the Isis Highway towards Childers but veer off to Apple Tree Creek, famous for its rodeos and also has the largest free flight walk-in aviary in Australia, at around two acres.

You are now back on the A1 (Bruce Highway). Head south to the town of Childers. A couple of days could be used exploring this historic town, wineries, reptile enclosures, Pharmaceutical Museum, Military Museum, homemade ice-cream and the peanut van. Or discover the Palace Gallery and walk the artistic main street.

On the southern approach to Childers is Goodwood Road (signs to Bundaberg can be seen). Follow this road to Woodgate Beach. 30 minutes from Childers, Woodgate is a small seaside town surrounded by the Burrum Coast National Park and the white sands of Woodgate Beach. Great for a relaxing break.

Departing Woodgate you'll backtrack to Goodwood Road, turn right and follow through into Bundaberg City.

Great Barrier Reef - Lady Musgrave and Lady Elliot Islands

The Bundaberg North Burnett Region, situated at the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef, offers two different reef experiences.

You can visit Lady Elliot Island for a day, or a week. Accessible only by air - take a scenic flight over the reef and pack in snorkelling, glass bottom boat coral viewing and reef exploring in a day or stay a while and enjoy all this eco-friendly island has to offer in their cabin and suite accommodation. This island is famous for its turtles, manta rays and a sunset lagoon walk through the shallow reef uncovers sea creatures of all kinds.

Lady Musgrave Island is a day cruise experience, offering snorkelling, scuba diving and glass bottom boat coral viewing on pristine coral reef. This Southern Great Barrier Reef Island is a unique coral cay, set on 3000 acres of living reef with a deep water coral lagoon. For those who want a 'cast away' experience, camping is permitted on the island but you will have to take everything with you as there are no facilities on the island itself, not even fresh water. Day tours depart from both Bundaberg and Seventeen Seventy.

Bundaberg to Gin Gin via Town of 1770, Agnes Water and Miriam Vale

Leaving Bundaberg, head north along the Rosedale Road. Weave through orchards of macadamias, rural farm land and coastal outlets. Baffle Creek, located on the river of the same name, is a quiet hideaway with just the basics, and great fishing.

A change in setting as you approach Agnes Water and the town of 1770, a historic town named after the landing of Captain James Cook in 1770.

Heading west meet up with the Bruce Highway (A1) at Miriam Vale, travel south to the town of Gin Gin. North of Gin Gin is Lake Monduran which, when full, holds a larger volume of water than Sydney Harbour.

On the outskirts of Gin Gin, within the rest area, are four monuments to the town's beginnings but also sharing its dark past between settlers and aboriginals.

Learn the struggle of pioneers against the regions only bushranger- the Wild Scotchman at the courthouse gallery or at the historical society which holds a Saturday country market. The artistic main street shares Gin Gin's journey from the meeting place of the Wakka Wakka tribe through to today's booming population.

Explore the region

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